Testing It Up

If you are among those who have a penchant for sodas and other sugary drinks, you may be in for more than just high blood sugar and cavity-prone teeth;  you may also end up suffering an increase in blood pressure.

According to a feature on the Los Angeles Times, a study published in the journal Hypertension found a link between the regular consumption of sugary drinks and a rise in blood pressure. This was determined by the INTERMAP (International study of Macro/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure) study, which conducted an analysis of data from 2,696 middle-aged adults in the United States and the U.K. The blood pressure of the study participants was taken on several occasions, and urine analysis samples were taken for two 24-hour periods. The participants were also asked about their diet in the previous 24 hours.

Ian Brown of Imperial College London and colleagues reported that an extra serving of a sugar-sweetened beverage daily led to a rise in systolic blood pressure of 1.6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and an elevation of diastolic blood pressure  by 0.8 mm Hg higher blood pressure readings.

The opposite relationship, however, was observed for diet drinks.

What may be the reason for this link? There are animal studies, as well as a few clinical trials, that indicate that extra glucose and fructose have an effect on blood pressure. In the case of fructose, scientists gave the following explanation, as shared on the feature: “Fructose is ultimately metabolized to uric acid, which can cause the body to reduce blood levels of nitric oxide.” Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate; if the body has less of it, then blood pressure may rise.

A feature on BBC.co.uk shared a device developed by researchers at the University of Leicester, and in Singapore, that scientists say may “revolutionize blood pressure monitoring.”

The device can be worn around a patient’s wrist, like a watch, and measures pressure in the largest artery in the body. The feature shared that there is evidence that supports the fact that the device can give a much more accurate reading than an arm cuff. A sensor in the device records the pulse wave of the artery, then feeds this information into a computer, along with traditional blood pressure reading from a cuff.

This allows scientists to read the pressure close to the heart, from the aorta.

According to Professor Bryan Williams of the department of cardiovascular sciences at Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, shared: “The aorta is millimetres away from the heart and close to the brain and we have always known that pressure here is a bit lower than in the arm. Unless we measure the pressure in the aorta we are not getting an appreciation of the risks or benefits of treatment.”

Prof. Williams also shared that it was important for the researchers to ensure that the device is made as small as possible, so that clinicians and patients are encouraged to use the device.

Funding for the development of the technology came from the National Institute of Health Research of the Department of Health, backed by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who said: “This is a great example of how research breakthroughs and innovation can make a real difference to patient’s lives.”

Steroids, known for their various street names, come in several types and can have several effects on the body. The steroid types the public would be most familiar with are the female sex hormones in birth control pills, the male sex hormones in androgen-anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids in drugs used to treat diseases.

The steroids used in body building are androgen-anabolic steroids. They can be taken orally or can be injected. Their anabolic effects promote cell growth while their androgenic effects lead to the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics. However, they can also cause a number of harmful side effects such as elevated blood pressure, increase in bad cholesterol, premature baldness and liver damage.

As thus, if you want to use steroids in body building, you must make sure that you do your research first. Consult with your doctor and have your doctor monitor your steroid use so that it does not harm your health.

For full version of this article, please visit “Common Steroid Pills (Types & Side Effects & Symptoms of Use)“.

Prescription drug abuse is an increasing problem in teens who’ve begun using the drugs under the assumption that there are little or no harmful effects because they are doctor regulated. The reality is that amid the increasing rates of poisoning related to substance abuse reported to ERs across the country the highest rates are those of teens experimenting with amphetamines. Amphetamines are most commonly prescribed to ADHD sufferers and as a result can be more accessible to teens who are the primary sufferers of the disorder.

Knowing if your child is abusing these drugs can be difficult as its primary symptom is hyperactivity, a symptom that could just as easily be attributed to the high caffeine beverages also favored by teens. Look for your child to be acting anxious, hyperactive and agitated. There’s also a very good chance that they’ll be experiencing the signs of high blood pressure. If any of these symptoms are reported by your child or they seem to be acting abnormally it’s important that you call a doctor or a poison control center to verify if they’ve been poisoned by these medications. You can also use a prescription drug test.

Last week, we did a couple of features with suggested tests that women should proactively undergo. This time around, we bring you the tests that men might want to think of subjecting themselves to. Unfortunately, this might mean that the wife, the girlfriend, the grown daughter or any significant woman in a man’s life might need to prod and nag, and even drag him to the doctor’s office for a check-up.

In a previous post, we already discussed at length how men seem to shy away from doctor’s offices, unless, of course, he is in the medical industry. That being said, though, we do understand that just as women have to don various hats, men have a lot of concerns going on in their lives; between the pressures of a career and amply providing for a family during these trying times, the last thing on a man’s mind will probably be a trip to the doctor’s office. When one is focused on the next mortgage payment, one will tend to ignore a little chest pain or two.

A buddy of mine actually ended up getting a triple bypass, and he is literally lucky to still be able to play all the golf he wants after ignoring chest pains that lasted over a week. And yes, it was his wife who dragged him to the ER after he felt funny while in the middle of a birthday party.

You will probably find the some of the recommended tests on this list rather familiar, as they are tests that we also had on the list we posted for women.

Before we begin, though, it may be good to suggest that a man who has decided to take charge of his own health should first find a doctor that he is comfortable in and has developed a good relationship with. Barring that, one will probably end up postponing this trip indefinitely; having a doctor whom you trust will make this process a whole lot easier.

A run through of these tests are as follows: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol tests, blood sugar testing to test for diabetes, colonoscopy, prostate cancer and testicular cancer screening and skin exams. We will discuss these tests in m ore detail in succeeding posts.

We often hear that ‘one man’s cure may be another’s poison’. This may be true not just among people, but between humans and the environment he lives in.

A study funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the National Council for Science and Technology of Mexico, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the St. Lawrence Action Plan and Health Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan on the St. Lawrence River downstream from the sewage treatment facility in Montreal found traces of medication in the water.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Montreal, the study found quantities of high blood pressure and cholesterol drugs in water samples which were taken half a kilometer from where treated wastewater from the sewage facility flowed into the river.

Although the quantities are minimal, there is no knowledge yet about how this build up will affect the environment according to Prof. Sebastien Suave, an environmental chemist who led the study. They are nevertheless not taking these observations lightly as it shows that there may be a buildup of compounds and pathogens in the environment because sewage processing systems fail to neutralize them.

The team tested for the presence of five different drugs, which included two kinds of chemotherapy drugs that are known to be highly toxic and carcinogenic, cholesterol drugs statin and bezafibrate, and the hypertension medication enalapril.

With the exception of statin, the team found traces of drugs in the waste water entering the treatment facility. After treatment, only the chemotherapy drugs were no longer present in water samples taken downstream. Bezafibrate and enalapril were still present. Other studies have reportedly also found traces of antidepressants, estrogen and antibiotics in bodies of fresh water.

The next logical step after this will be to study the effects of these observations to marine life. The team likewise cautions communities further downstream to subject water drawn from the river to further treatment before using.

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This season saw us from one party to another. However, no matter how difficult it may be, we need to control these 3 numbers before they control us.

1. Blood Pressure. The force, with respect to the area of application, being exerted by the blood to the walls of the arteries is what we know of as blood pressure. For healthy adults, blood pressure should remain at 120/80 mm Hg to avoid serious cardiovascular risks.

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension has been considered as a silent killer, as a person can suffer from such condition without him knowing it. Often, it does not have unique, distinguishable symptoms. While we usually associate high blood pressure with being nervous or hyperactive, it does not follow that a calm person cannot suffer from hypertension.

2. Blood Cholesterol. Cholesterol is found naturally in our bodies and it is very helpful in producing hormones, vitamin D and other salient substances that the body needs. Although the body can supply all the cholesterol it needs, we often unnecessarily add to the supply by eating foods that are high in cholesterol.

High Blood Cholesterol is having too much cholesterol in the blood. The excess cholesterol can build up on the walls of the arteries, and this can cause plaque and narrowing of the arteries. Coronary Heart Disease can result when the arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood to the heart is narrowed.

3. Blood Glucose. The main sugar that the body uses to provide energy is glucose. We can get these from the food we eat, especially in carbohydrate-rich ones. Glucose concentration in the body should be kept within the range of 4-6 mmol/l. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) may result from the inability o regulate blood sugar content in the body.

These 3 important health numbers must be always monitored for us stay healthy. Check your doctor regarding how often you need to test and your testing options.

Apoor Gami, M.D, a cardiologist from Mayo Clinic, recently presented a study that involved almost 11,000 persons and their sleeping characteristics at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2008 in New Orleans. While it has long been suspected that obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of Sudden Cardiac Death, only this research effort has been extensive enough to positively establish the connection between the two.

Nighttime low oxygen saturation, which is a critical effect of obstructive sleep apnea, has been found to affect blood vessels and cause heart disease. With the results of this study and future efforts to further validate this relationship, obstructive sleep apnea can now be considered a risk factor just like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that is characterized by disruptions in breathing during sleep, loud snoring and excessive day fatigue. There are 3 kinds of sleep apnea – obstructive, central and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea involves the relaxing of throat muscles while central sleep apnea involves improper brain signals sent to muscles that control one’s breathing. Complex sleep apnea combines the two earlier mentioned.

Most people who suffer from sleep apnea are unaware that they have this condition. It occurs during sleep and often, only bed partners or family members can detect the symptoms. When left undetected and untreated, sleep apnea can cause stroke or heart attack.

To treat this medical disorder, mouthpieces or breathing devices are often used. Changes in lifestyle, like avoiding alcohol, quitting on smoking, losing weight and sleeping on the side, have also been found to be of great help. In more serious cases, surgery can be an option.

Doctors diagnose sleep apnea by checking on the patient’s throat, mouth and nose, analyzing the patient’s medical and family history, conducting sleep studies, and using effective sleep tests. This is a serious medical disorder that most of us often neglect. To ensure the overall health of your family, it is best to check if this affects any of your loved ones.